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Umrah, also known as the lesser pilgrimage (as compared to the Hajj), means a visit, in particular, a visit to the Kaa’ba. The fact that Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage in no way diminishes its significance or reward. An Umrah can be performed anytime during the year – and what better time to perform an Umrah than in the holiest month of the Islamic year. A month where even the simplest of good deeds reap a manifold reward, an Umrah becomes an act of even greater significance.
About Hajj and Umrah, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said:
“(The performance of) `Umrah is the expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise” (Bukhari 26:1).
Keeping in mind the general importance of Umrah one can only imagine how much Allah Almighty will appreciate it when we perform it in the month of Ramadan.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and for those Muslim brothers and sisters who can afford it easily, it is mandatory to perform at least once in a lifetime. And those of us who are unable to afford the Hajj or are unable to perform it for any other reason, an Umrah in Ramadan then becomes a great opportunity:
According to a hadith reported by Ibn `Abbas:
“Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked an Ansari woman (Ibn `Abbas named her but `Ata' forgot her name), ‘What prevented you from performing Hajj with us?’ She replied, ‘We have a camel and the father of so-and-so and his son (i.e. her husband and her son) rode it and left one camel for us to use for irrigation.’ He said (to her), ‘Perform `Umrah when Ramadan comes, for `Umrah in Ramadan is equal to Hajj (in reward)” (Bukhari 26:10).
Thus, as one can see, Umrah performed during the holy month is synonymous with having performed the Hajj, the ultimate act of total submission to the Lord. Whosoever is unable to perform the Hajj, due to its strenuous physical demands, costs, or other personal reasons, can instead opt for performing Umrah during Ramadan, as this Hadith narrates that it is one in the same thing. Read more authenticated Best Time to Perform Umrah .
However, the equivalence to Hajj may only be in terms of the blessings and while it is unable to relieve a Muslim of his or her obligation of Hajj, Umrah is still able to expiate sins and offers us an opportunity to amend our relationship with the Almighty Allah. Ibn-i-Abbas narrates from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that:
“Whoever reaches Makkah in the month of Ramadan and fasts and passes his/her night worshipping as much as he can, Allah writes for him/her the reward of a hundred thousand fasting of the month of Ramadan performed outside of Makkah and Allah bestows on him/her for each day and night the reward of freeing a slave. For each day, He writes the reward of a horse's attack against the enemy on the way of Allah. And He writes for the day a hasana (good deed), and for the night a hasana.” (Ibn Majah, Manasik: 106.)
So if this Ramadan you want to earn great rewards from Allah, take the opportunity and go to Makkah to perform the Umrah, it not only lessen your sins but also brings you closer to Allah and that is the ultimate reward for any Muslim.